SPOTTED: Vlasic Pickle Balls Dill Pickle Corn Puffs

Vlasic Pickle Balls Dill Pickle Corn Puffs.

Does anyone want to try to play pickleball with these pickle balls with me? (Spotted by Amanda Y at Aldi.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED: 12/4/2024

Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

Bolthouse Farms Limited Edition Wicked Apple Pineapple Mango Smoothie
Bolthouse Farms Wicked Watermelon Dragon Fruit

(Spotted by Jamie B at Meijer.)

Bettergoods Garlic Parmesan Aioli
Bettergoods Sriracha Aioli

(Spotted by Tommy at Walmart.)

Circle K Cheesy Garlic Bread Wavy Potato Chips

(Spotted by Tommy at Circle K.)

RoRo’s Jalapeno Cheddar Parket House Rolls

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Tom Thumb.)

Bobo’s Original Fit Oat Bars

(Spotted by Sarah R at Whole Foods.)

Private Selection Shrimp & Spicy Chili Empanadas

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Kroger.)

Yumster Yo Bar Inside Out Choco Chip
Yumster Yo Bar Berry Bounce

(Spotted by Sarah R at Whole Foods.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

REVIEW: Post Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate Cereal

Chocolat-ize everything.

That’s what the fine folks at Post decided to do with its second attempt at a chocolate version of its popular Honey Bunches of Oats. The first, Honey Bunches of Oats with Real Chocolate Clusters, debuted in 2008 and was around for, um, I don’t even know. At the time, I called it my favorite Honey Bunches of Oats variety, but that might’ve been the sugar talking because, looking back at the review, I gave it a 6 out of 10, and I don’t recall ever buying a second box.

The cereal that came out in 2008 had only chocolate clusters with the usual flakes. This time around, Post decided to not only include crunchy granola clusters made with cocoa and real chocolate chips but also add cocoa to the flakes. This makes for a better tasting cereal that blows the previous version out of the milk.

Speaking of milk, I have to point this out first. Look at the photo below of the Lake Titicacao in my bowl.

No, I did not cheat by pouring chocolate milk. Watching how quickly the white milk turned brown was like a David Blaine magic trick or spraying down a pig that had just rolled around in the mud. I poured the cereal into the bowl, added milk, closed the bag in the box, and turned around to put the cereal back in the pantry. When I turned back around, the milk had completely changed into chocolatey goodness.

Sniffing this was also divine because it smelled like Cocoa Pebbles. Yabba Dabba Do! But it really shouldn’t be surprising; after all, Cocoa Pebbles is also a Post product, so why not cross-pollinate from one of the most chocolatey cereals in the grocery store. However, this Honey Bunches of Oats doesn’t quite have the same cocoa kick as the box rockin’ with Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. The same flavors are there, but I’d describe its chocolate taste as Cocoa Pebbles for a refined palate but not for a ten-year-old with sugar-crazed taste buds.

I did hope the cocoa on the flakes would’ve helped prevent them from getting soggy too quickly, which is one of the cons of any Honey Bunches of Oats variety, but I guess it’s hard for the cocoa to be some kind of barrier when it instantly washes off into the milk.

Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate Cereal is my new favorite Honey Bunches of Oats variety. For real. It’s not the sugar talking this time.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product sample from Post. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 12 oz box
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup – cereal only) 160 calories, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 160 max 34 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 12 grams of sugar (including 12 grams of added sugar), and 2 grams of protein.

SPOTTED: Quaker Life Hot Cocoa Cereal

Quaker Life Hot Cocoa Cereal.

Nothing like sitting in front of a fireplace and sipping on some Hot Cocoa Life Cereal aftermilk. (Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED: Kellogg’s Original Squishmallows Cereal

Kellogg's Original Squishmallows Cereal.

I wish this cereal was all marshmallows. (Spotted by Amanda Y at Market Street.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.